Astronomy Essentials
Tonight
Visible planets and night sky guide for August
EarthSky's visible planets and night sky guide. The Perseid meteors will peak this week! Watch a video with meteor-spotting tips here.
Sun
Sun news: Sun blast sweeps Earth, sparking auroras
Sun news August 9, 2026: The August 4 CME finally arrived, driving a G2 storm with auroras.
Astronomy Essentials

Venus greatest distance from the sun August 14-15, 2026

In 2026, look for Venus after sunset! It's high in August evening sky for all to see. It'll be brightest in the evening sky on September 22.
Astronomy Essentials

Perseid meteor shower 2026: It’s time to watch

The moon is waning smaller every day and will be gone by Perseid meteor shower peak around the mornings of August 13, 2026
Space

The electromagnetic spectrum: It’s more than visible light

The light our eyes can detect is only a sliver of the light out there. The electromagnetic spectrum describes all the wavelengths of light, seen and unseen.
Astronomy Essentials

The 2nd eclipse season of 2026 is underway

One of the many noticeable cycles in the heavens is an eclipse season. The 2nd eclipse season of 2026 starts with a total solar eclipse on August 12.
Space

SpaceX rocket hit the moon: Before and after pics

A SpaceX rocket hit the moon on August 5. Here's what astronomers have observed so far from this historic lunar event, including before and after pics.
Astronomy Essentials

Total solar eclipse to dazzle observers on August 12

On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will be visible from the Arctic, Greenland, Iceland and Spain. And western Europe will see a partial eclipse.
Human World

Solar eclipse: Top 5 tips for photographing an eclipse

Are you hoping to get some great pics of the August 12 total solar eclipse? Here are 5 tips from NASA to help you capture some memories of this precious event.
Space

Vast Martian honeycombs featured in new Curiosity panorama

NASA's Curiosity rover has found vast new fields of Martian honeycombs in Gale crater. They likely formed from drying mud, just like we see on Earth.